Programmability and network capabilities of the hosting platform enables remote control and diagnosis scenarios, fully automated RF alarm systems, advanced assistance for unattended detection requirements such as those of radio operators, cell towers and HAM stations.

For added flexibility, these two boards can be easily re-converted between modes by soldering a required connector:

Raspberry Pi Hat can be converted to Arduino Shield by soldering standard 0.1” male headers to the PCB

Arduino Shield can be converted to Raspberry Pi Hat by soldering a 26x2 0.1” female header to the PCB

Designed in this way, it is easy to reconvert the board to a different hosting platform with no extra cost if you have different needs down the road.

Furthermore, other platforms such as BeagleBoard, Chip, Chipkit, Teensy all them can easily control a RF Explorer 3G+ IoT by manually connecting to standard UART port.

RF Explorer 3G+ IoT Specifications

Parameter

Description

Module included

3G+ MWSUB3G advanced RF Explorer module

Frequency band coverage

15-2700 MHz

Connector

Standard SMA 50 ohms

Selectable input stage

Normal, LNA, 30dB Attenuator

Amplitude resolution

0.5dBm

Dynamic range

-130dBm to +10dBm

Absolute Max input power

+30dBm

Average noise floor level

-120dBm (typical with LNA enabled)

Frequency stability and accuracy

+-10ppm (typical)

Amplitude stability and accuracy

+-3dBm (typical)

Amplitude and Frequency calibration

All modules are factory calibrated

Frequency resolution

1Khz

Resolution bandwidth (RBW)

automatic 3KHz to 600KHz

DC Voltage Level

3.3V on all pins

DC Protection

Protected with resettable fuse

Power consumption

100-500mW

Design your Own RF tool

By leveraging RF Explorer proven technology, the 3G+ IoT modules offer same software tools used by RF Explorer Handheld units, but in a compact, reusable and customizable platform.

The internal MWSUB3G is part of the new RF Explorer Plus family of products with advanced features, including an enhanced input stage with 20dB Gain Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) for capturing low power signals, as well as 30dB attenuator for high amplitude signals. These input stages are selectable by software.

Software libraries are included for Arduino and Raspberry Pi, using same API currently implemented in all RF Explorer product family, see more details in Software Download section below. All libraries and examples are open source and available at GITHUB.

If your design requires network connection for local or remote monitoring of RF activity, we suggest Raspberry Pi hosting platform.

On the other hand, for local/direct USB connection to a computer, the Arduino hosting platform may be more convenient and lower power consumption.

Open Source Hardware

Available as separated embedded module

At the core of the RF Explorer 3G+ IoT is the advanced RF Explorer MWSUB3G module.

RF Explorer MWSUB3G includes all hardware and functionality to create a custom, embedded RF platform with a specific PCB design. Thanks to small module dimensions (42x52mm), it can be easily added to any existing design with a CPU or microcontroller suitable for UART communication.